purine

[ pyoor-een, -in ]

noun

, Chemistry, Biochemistry.

1. a white, crystalline compound, C 5 H 4 N 4 , from which is derived a group of compounds including uric acid, xanthine, and caffeine.
2. one of several purine derivatives, especially the bases adenine and guanine, which are fundamental constituents of nucleic acids.

purine

/ ˈpjʊəriːn; ˈpjʊərɪn /

noun

1. a colourless crystalline solid that can be prepared from uric acid. Formula: C 5 H 4 N 4
2. Also calledpurine base any of a number of nitrogenous bases, such as guanine and adenine, that are derivatives of purine and constituents of nucleic acids and certain coenzymes

purine

/ pyr′ēn′ /

1. Any of a group of organic compounds containing two fused rings of carbon and nitrogen atoms. One ring has six members, the other has five, and each has two nitrogens. Purines include a number of biologically important compounds, such as adenosine, caffeine, uric acid, and the two bases adenine and guanine, which are components of DNA and RNA.

Word History and Origins

Origin of purine¹

From the German word Purin, dating back to 1895–1900. See pure, uric, -ine ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of purine¹

C19: from German Purin; see pure , uric , -ine ²

Example Sentences

Tea and chocolate also contain caffeine, which theobromine is related to as part of the purine family of chemicals.

From Salon

The drug works by impairing one arm of purine production, the "de novo" pathway.

From Science Daily

“Some people are just genetically able to process those purines in our diet, which is a breakdown product of various foods, better than others,” Bauer said.

From Seattle Times

The foods most likely to contribute to these inner stalagmites are high in the chemical compound purine, among them venison and foie gras, pheasant and scallops, goose and caviar.

From New York Times

In Xu and co-workers’ synthetic pathway, a UV-induced chemical reduction occurs that leads to the strikingly selective destruction of these unwanted by-products, ultimately producing only the biologically relevant isomers of the purines.

From Nature